The Aged Sake That Was Called "Like Sherry" in Barcelona — Available This Weekend in Tokyo

In late March, the Long-Aged Sake Research Association brought 13 varieties of aged sake (koshu) to Alimentaria 2026, one of Europe's largest food and beverage exhibitions, held in Barcelona. The four-day event drew 109,600 visitors and 3,300 exhibitors. Among them, amber-colored Japanese sake turned heads.

Many visitors were surprised: "Is this really sake?" After tasting, the reactions shifted to recognition — "It's like sherry," "Close to brandy." In Europe, where aged spirits and wines are deeply embedded in drinking culture, koshu's flavors landed naturally.

The lineup included Honda Shoten's "Genmyo," Shimoetsu Shuzo's "Kanbara Ancient Treasure," Shiraki Tsunesuke Shoten's "Daruma Masamune 10-Year Koshu," Nate Shuzo-ten's "Kuroushi Junmai Omachi 2020," and vintage sakes from Okunomatsu Shuzo, among others. Interest came from Italian and Catalan chefs, sommeliers, and sake professionals alike.

"Aging Is Not Deterioration — It's Evolution"

The most striking feedback came during food pairings. "When paired with food, the appeal opens up immediately," visitors said. Koshu can be intense on its own, but give it the right culinary partner and a whole new dimension emerges. Europe has a deep tradition of pairing aged drinks — sherry, Madeira, port — with gastronomy. Seeing Japanese koshu placed in that same context feels significant.

Jun Ito, secretary general of the Long-Aged Sake Research Association, cited two key takeaways from the exhibition: breaking fixed preconceptions about sake, and drawing interest from food professionals across diverse cuisines.

This Weekend in Tokyo

Those same Barcelona exhibition sakes — and more — will be available in Tokyo this weekend. On April 4 (Saturday), "Jukusei Koshu Renaissance 2026" takes place at the Red Brick Sake Brewery in Kita Ward.

Beyond the 13 Alimentaria entries, the event will feature koshu aged 30 to 40 years, plus special selections from sake shops Nekoshian and Kikino Old Vintage Sake Salon. Imagine sipping a sake brewed in 1984 — casually, from a paper cup.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026 / Part 1: 11:00–12:45, Part 2: 13:45–15:30
• Venue: Red Brick Sake Brewery (Takinogawa 2-6-30, Kita Ward, Tokyo)
• Advance: ¥3,000 per session / ¥5,000 all-day pass
• Door: ¥5,000 per session / ¥8,000 all-day pass